Car-coupling.



M. L. BLACKIVIAN.

CAR COUFLING.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. I913.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET u mun M. L. BLACKMAN.

CAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. s. 1913.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

3 SHEETS SHEET 2. 311g. 5

m jig. 4i.

Svwemtoz Witnesses I (Chicano/1 S 'M. L. BLACKMAN.

CAR couP me.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. l9|3\ Patented 0ct.19,1915. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 "Ill/IA MALcoM L. BLACKMAN, OF ozAiak, ALABAMA.

CAR-COUPLING.

LJM'YALWE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Uot. T9, 1915,

Application filed September 5, 1913. Serial No. 788,298.

To all whom itimay concern:

Be it known that T, MALCOM L. BLACK- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ozark, in the'co nty of Dale and State of Alabama, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Car- Couplings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to automatic car couplers of the so-called J anney type and comprising a draw head, a knuckle pivoted to the draw head and having a-shank which is engaged by the knuckle of the opposing coupler in the coupling operation and moved thereby to turn the knuckle into closed or coupled position, and a pin or block 00-. o crating with the knuckle shank within t 1e draw head to lock the knuckle in operative or closed position. In such couplers as heretofore constructed gravity has usually been relied upon to-cause the locking pin to drop into locking position when the knuckles are closed and the shanks reach their innermost positions. In practice, however, it frequently happens that the cars to be coupled are brought together with considerable force or velocity, and the momentum so generated causes the impinging knuckles to rebound and open before the locking pins or blocks can drop into operative position, a brief but appreciable amount of time being necessary for this operation.

The present invention has for its primary object to provide a coupler of this type in which the-movement of the locking pin or block toward and into operative position is not dependent upon gravity alone but is positively and directly caused and controlled by the closing of the knuckle itself, so that when said knuckle is fully closed it will be immediately locked. without possibility of failure, and to accomplish these results without the use of 'trunnions, pivot pins or the like for the locking block, which devices require considerable space for their accommodation within the draw-head, tend to weaken the construction as a whole, and offer possibilities of clogging by foreign matter finding its way within the drawhead. Tn carrying out this purpose of the invention the momentum, which, as above explained, in

, couplers as usually constructed tends to defeat the automatic operation, is utilized to insure the roper operation of the lockin pin or bloc said pin or block being at 1 times supported on the knuckle shank and controlled thereby, and being also operable in connection with said shank as a lock set and knuckle opener.

Further objects of the inventionare generally to improve and simplify the construction of couplers of this general type, to provide a locking pin or block of improved form requiring a minimum amount of space for its operation, thereby reducing the necessary size of the recess in the draw head and permitting a stronger and more compact construction, and also to provide improved operating means for the locking pin or block whereby said pin or block may be conveniently operated and controlled from the side of the car and whereby all openings in the top of the draw-head are eliminated.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, together with means whereby the same may be carried into effect, will best be understood from the following description of certain forms or embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood, however, that the particular constructions described and shown have been chosen for illustrative purposes merely, and that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the claims hereunto appended.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a horizontal section on the line 1-1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 a vertical section on the line 22, Fig. 1, showing the parts of the coupler in their locked or coupling position. Figs. 3 and 4' are views corresponding respectively to F igs.- 1 and 2, showing the parts in their completely open or uncoupled position. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 4 showing the knuckle in closed or coupling position, but with the locking pin or block in its unlocking or lock set position, permitting the knuckle to swing open for uncoupling. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the locking pin or block and its operating mechanism. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a modified form of operating means for the locking pinor block. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-.8, Fig.1. Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9, Fig. 4.

The draw head 10 is formed with ears 11 between which the knuckle '12 is pivoted at or near -its central portion by means of a pin 13 extending between said ears. At its forward end the draw head is formed with a downward extension 50 within which is an annular cavity or recess 51 surrounding the pivot pin 13 and providing a supporting flange 52. Above the cavity or recess 51 is a transverse opening 53 extending to the exterior of the draw head and communicatlines in Figs. 2 and 4 and in dotted lines in Fig. 9, carrying the cotter pin 56 through the notches 54 into the cavity 51. Finally the pivot pin 13 is given a quarter turn, carrying the cotter pin 56 out of alinement with the notches 54, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The cavity 51 in the extension 50 forms a casing for the cotter pin 56, preventing the removal or accidental loss of said cotter ,pin, and also, by means of the flange 52 upon which the cotter pin rests, providing a support for the lower end of the pivot pin 13 which will retain the lower portion of this pin in place in case of breakage thereof.

The draw-head 10 is formed with a recess 21 having a transverse horizontal portion 14 extending to the front of the head'between the ears ll and in which the shank 15 of the knuckleis adapted to swing in coupling and uncoupling. Said recess is preferably formed with the usual lateral extension 16 to receive the projection 17 on the knuckle shank, said projection cooperating with a shoulder 18, formed on the interior of the draw-head by the recess 16, to retain the knuckle in placein case of breakage of its pivot pin 13, as will be familiar to those skilled in the art. The shank 15 is preferably formed with an inclined top 39 and is cut away at its inner end to form a single vertically disposed locking shoulder 19 and an extension beyond said shoulder forming a single horizontal supporting ledge or shoulder 20 for purposes presently to be explained.

Within the recess 21 is located the looking pin or block, designated as a whole by the numeral 22. Said pin or block is entirely disconnectedfrom the draw-head, is loosely disposed in said recess, andis adapted to slide vertically therein and also to have a limited rocking movement in a vertical plane about its upper rear corner 23 when .raised to bring said corner into engagement with the top wall 40 of the recess 21. Preferably said corner is projected upwardly and rounded, as shown, to form a shoulder or abutment adapted to enter a suitably shaped socket 24 in the top wall 40. The

of the recess 21, said recess, however, being so formed that when the locking pin or block reaches the limit of its vertical move- 1nent,bringing the shoulder or abutment 23 into engagement with the socket 24, said pin or block may turn about said shoulder from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 4.

For the purpose of operating the locking pin or block the following means are provided. Passing through one side of the draw-head 10, and journaled therein to rotate on a fixed axis is a short shaft 28 (see Fig. 6) having preferably a squared outer end 29 for engagement by the socketed end 30 of a rod or wrench 31 which may, if desired, extend to the side of the car. 'Rigidly secured to the inner end of the shaft 28 is a crank 32 adapted to turn in a suitably formed lateral extension 33 of the recess 21 and provided at its end with a pin 34 extending into a horizontally disposed slot 35 formed in the upper portion of the body of the locking pin or blo'ck 22 forward of the shoulder or abutment 23.

The locked position of the coupler is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. To unlock, the shaft 28 is turned from the position shown in Fig. 2 into that shown in Fig. 5, thereby lifting the pin or block 22 and rocking the same slightly about the corner 23 into a position to carry the body portion thereof above the locking shoulder 19 of the knuckle shank and causing the shoulder 27 to engage the shoulder 20 and support-said pin or block in this position, providing what is termed a lock set. The supporting shoulder 20 projects beyond the locking shoulder 19 a distance substantially equal to the width of the shoulder 27, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that when the locking block is in lock-set position the shank is free to swing outwardly, the upper face 39 thereof passing beneath the body portion of the locking block-before the shoulder 20 passes out of engagement with the shoulder 27 For positively opening the coupler the shaft 28 and crank 32 are turned into the position shown in Fig. 4, causin the looking pin or block to be lifted to its highest position and to be rocked upon the shoulder or abutment 23, and, by engagement of the tail-piece 26 with the knuckle shank 15, to force said shank outwardly, thereby turning the knuckle 12 upon its pivot and completely opening the coupler.

In the normal uncoupled position the knuckle 12 is swung outwardly, the body or locking portion 25 of the block 22 rests on the top 39 of the shank 15, and the tailpiece 26 extends downwardly in the rear of said shank. This position is shown in Fig. 3 and approximately in Fig. 4, although in the latter figure the locking block is lifted slightly from the knuckle shank in order to bring the shoulder 23 into engagement with the socket 24 in 1 he top wall 40 for the purpose of positively opening the coupler, as above explained. The body or head 25 of the locking block projects forwardly from the depending tail piece 26, so that, as said head rests upon the knuckle shank at a point adjacent the front edge of said head, the lower end of said tail-piece is swung forwardly against the back of said shank as shown in Fig. 4. The rear or inner end wall of the shank 15 is not concentric with the pivot 13, being nearer said pivot at points adjacent the projection 17 than at points adjacent the shoulder 20. When, therefore, the shankis forced inwardly (from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 1) by the incoming knuckle of the adjacent car during the coupling operation, as is usual in couplers of this general type, the rear end of the shank exerts a cam action upon the tail-piece 26, forcing it rearwardly. Also, by reason of the downward inclination of the top of the knuckle shank, as the shank moves inwardly the forward part' of the head 25 of the locking block moves downwardly.

I It will thus be seen that the inward movement of the knuckle shank causes the block 22 to be rocked or rotated in a counterclockwise directicn, or from right to left, (as shown in the drawings) about an imaginary horizontal axis within itself. When, in coupling, the opposing coupler heads are brought together with sufficient violence to produce a tendency to immediate rebound, the knuckle shank moves inwardly with considerable force and velocity, so that the'rotary motion imparted to the locking block is a very rapid one. The momentum thus enerated causes the locking block to contlnue to rotate after the head thereof has passed out of engagement with the top of the knuckle shank at the shoulder 19, and this continued rotation causes the lower edge of the head 25 to move in front of the upper edge of said shoulder 19, thereby locking the knuckle in the closed or coupling position shown in Fig. 1 and preventing opening thereof due to rebound.

The speed of rotation of the locking block,

and the momentum generated therein, is of course, proportionate to the velocity with which the coupler heads are brought towill be the action of the locking block tending to prevent such rebound.

Rotation of the locking block in a counterclockwise direction causes the shoulder 23 to move upwardly. WVhen the coupler heads are brought together with extreme'violence this upward movement of the shoulder 23 causes the same to strike against the top wall 40 of the recess in the draw head, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Impingement of this shoulder against the top of the draw head causes rebound of the parts, and as the head of the locking block has now passed out of engagement with the top of the knuckle shank this rebound is partaken of by the Whole block, so as to cause the same to move bodily downward instead of merely reversing its direction of rotation, this movement further assisting in the locking operation above described.

After the operation above described the pin or block 22 will usually fall by gravity into the position shown in full lines. in Fig. 2, with the head or body portion 25 resting upon the supporting shoulder 20. Except, however, that in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, a greater volume of the head 25 is interposed between the shoulder 19 and side wall of the recess 21 than is caused by the throwing of the block above referred to, thereby providing a somewhat stronger lock, it is immaterial to the operativeness of the lock Whether the block 22 falls into this po* sition or not, since in a higher position of the block the knuckle is effectually locked. The block 22 is, however,,positively thrown into a position to lock the knuckle by the violent inward movement of the knuckle shank in coupling, under the circumstances above explained, so that the locking of the coupler against rebound is effectedindependently of gravity and prior to such locking action as could be produced thereby. When, therefore, the coupler heads are brought together with sufficient violence to cause rebound before they could be locked by gravity, the momentum caused by the violence of the impact results in their prompt positive locking.

It will be seen that the particular form and arrangement of the several parts may be varied in many ways and still be ca able of operation as above described. .ssentially, however, in accordance with the primary feature of the invention, the locking pin or block rests or is supported at all times on the knuckle shank and is controlled and guided in all its movements by engagement of the exterior surfaces thereof with said shank and with the walls of the recess in the draw-head, the parts being suitably formed the size of the necessary recess therein, re-

sulting in a stronger and more compact construction. Furthermore, the vertical movement of the locking block not being limited by the length of the slot in said block, a single horizontal supporting shoulder or ledge 20 only is required on the knuckle shank to support the body 25 of the locking block when in looking position and the shoulder 27 when in lock-set position, so that the configuration of the knuckle shank is materially simplified.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modified form of op-.

erating device for the locking pin or block, said device comprising a link or rod 36 pivoted at 37 to the forward edge of the locking'block and extending upwardly through an opening 38in the top of the draw-head. It will be seen that the upward movement of the link or rod 36 will produce substantially the same movements of the locking pin or block as operation of the crank 32 in the form of the invention first described, although said first described form is considered preferable for the reason that no opening in the top of the drawhead is required.

Having thus described my invention I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An automatic coupling comprising a recessed draw head, a knuckle. pivoted to said draw head and having a shank extending into the recesses therein, a locking pin or block in said recess and having a portion cooperating with said shank to lock said knuckle and a portion engaged by said shank as it moves inwardly to couple and positively thrown thereby to bring said locking portion into locking position, and means for operating said locking block, said locking block being disconnected from said draw head and being guided in its movements by engagement of the exterior surfaces thereof with saidknuckle shank and the walls of said recess and being supported at all times when released by said operating means upon said shank, and said shank being formed to permit the locking portion of said block to move toward locking position during the inward movement of said shank prior to the locking operation 2. An automatic coupling comprising a draw head having a recess providing a rear guiding wall and a top wall, a knuckle pivoted to said draw head and having a shank extending into the recess therein, said shank being cut away at its inner end to form a single vertical locking shoulder and a single horizontal supporting shoulder, a locking pin or block having a body portion adapted to rest on the top of said shank when said knuckle is open and to rest upon said supporting shoulder and engage said locking shoulder when said knuckle is closed, said pin or block having also a depending tail piece provided with a shoulder adapted to rest upon said supporting shoulder when said knuckle is closed, and said 1 pin or block being further formed with a rear guiding face cooperating with the rear wall of said recess for controlling the vertical sliding movements of said block and with an upper abutment adapted to engage the top wall of said recess as said block is moved upwardly and about which said block is adapted to rock, and means disposed eccen-.

trically of said abutment for moving said block vertically.

3. An automatic coupling comprising a recessed draw head, a knuckle pivoted to said draw head and having a shank extending into the recess therein, a sliding and rocking locking pin or block in said recess cooperating with said shank and having a horizontally disposed slot, a shaft passing through the side of said draw head and journaled therein to rotate on a fixed axis, a crank armon said shaft within said recess, and a pin carried by said crank arm and loosely engaging said slot atone side of said block.

4. An automatic coupling comprisinga draw head having a recess providing a rear guiding wall and a top'wall; a knuckle pivoted to said draw head and having a shank extending into said recess; a movable locking pin or block having a rear guiding face cooperating with the rear wall of said recess for controlling the vertical sliding movements of said block, an upper rear abutment adapted to engage the top wall of said recess as said block is moved upwardly and about which said block is adapted to rock, and a horizontally disposed slot arranged forwardly of said abutment, said block being formed with portions cooperating with said shank as said block is moved vertically and rocked; a shaft passing through the side of .said draw head and journaled to rotate on a fixed axis; a crank arm on. said shaft within said recess; and a pin carried by said crank arm and loosely engaging said slot at one side of said block.

5. An automatic coupling comprising a recessed draw head, a knuckle pivoted to said draw head and having a shank extending into the recess therein said shank being cut away at its inner end to form a single vertical locking shoulder and a single horizontal supporting shoulder which projects rearwardly beyond said locking shoulder, a sliding and locking pin or block having a body portion providing a shoulder adapted to rest on the top of said shank when said knuckle is open and to rest upon said supporting shoulder and engage said looking shoulder when said knuckle is closed, said pin or block having also a depending tail piece provided with a shoulder adapted to rest upon said supporting shoulder When said knuckle is closed, said shoulders on said pin or block being arranged vertically one above the other, and means for operating said pin or block, said pin or block being loosely disposed in said recess, being guided by engagement of the exterior surfaces thereof with the walls of said recess for and disconnected from said draw head, said pin or block having a head which rests at its forward edge on the top of said shank and a depending tail-piece which extends downwardly in the rear of said shank when said knuckle is open, said head being located forwardly of said tail-piece whereby said tail-piece is swung forwardly into engagernent with the back of said shank, and the back of said shank being formed to throw said tail-piece rearwardly as said" knuckle is closed.

7. An automatic coupling comprising a recessed draw head, a knuckle pivoted to said draw head and having a shank extending into the recess therein and movable inwardly when said knuckle is turned to couple, and a locking pin or block in said recess, said pin or block being constructed and arranged to be supported at all times solely on said knuckle shank, and cooperating surfaces on said block and shank adapted to cause said block to be positively thrown by said shank as it moves inwardly into a position to lock said shank.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

MALCOM L. BLACKMAN. Witnesses:

L. E. MALLARD, D. F. PEARCE. 

